Simple question about ZaZa slider (DIY IGUS)

[jordy2324]

This is probably a pretty obvious question... but I'm going to ask it anyway.

I just purchased everything needed for the ZaZa slider.

Here's everything I have
Canon 7D
Sunpak Platinum Plus 72" tripod
Igus WS-16-60 Drylin 'W' rail 1000mm
Igus WW-16-60-10 Drylin 'W' carriage
5/16th inch drill bit
3/8-16 (3/8" 16 thread) tap
Tap handle
3/8-16 hex head bolt that's 1/2" - 3/4" in length


I read over the directions on the ZaZa slider page. I also watched a vimeo video tutorial from Fried Helm.

But I'm still a little stuck.

Here's my question:

Do you have to purchase a separate video head (like the Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head that Fried Helm uses)? Or do you have to buy a 100mm ball head adapter like in the ZaZa instructions? Or both?

I'm pretty sure I can't do this with JUST the Sunpak tripod I have. I'm just not sure if I need to buy the video head or ball adapter, which are both pretty expensive. I know I can drill the carriage and connect it to my existing tripod camera plate. I'm just not sure how to mount the camera. I'm pretty sure I need an additional part, but that is always listed as "optional" in all the tutorials.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Chris Light]

ask this in the Zaza thread

 

[ZazaCast]

I don't know anything about that tripod, but most tripods allow you to remove the head (if it comes with one) and it has a 3/8"-16 bolt (on which a head is mounted).

O.K., here are your choices:
1. remove the head from your tripod, screw the rail on the tripod and put the head on the carriage.
2. Get a filmtools 4" riser: http://www.filmtools.com/filmtools-extension-riser-4-n1503a.html
3. drill & tap a 1/4"-20 hole in the carriage instead of (or in addition to) the 3/8"-16. Then you can attach your camera directly to the carriage.

As always, I recommend a better tripod (Manfrotto, Bogen, etc) and be sure to add a sandbag or two using that sunpak.

The reason you want to add a riser or use a head is to add a bit of height so when you want to dolly straight in or out, you won't see the end of the rail in your shot.

Hope that helps. Fried Helm builds it a little differently than I do.

Best,
-Zaza

 

[jordy2324]

--- Thanks for the advice, ZaZa. Everything is looking doable now. Here's my question about the filmtools 4" riser.... How do I mount that to my tripod head? it looks like they both have a drill hole to put a screw INTO. But neither one has anything you can drill into the other.

Not sure if that makes sense, but it's basically like two female ends and no male end.

So how do I mount this:

into this:

I'm pretty sure they aren't the same screw size.....

 

[ydgmdlu]

--- Thanks for the advice, ZaZa. Everything is looking doable now. Here's my question about the filmtools 4" riser.... How do I mount that to my tripod head? it looks like they both have a drill hole to put a screw INTO. But neither one has anything you can drill into the other.

Not sure if that makes sense, but it's basically like two female ends and no male end.

So how do I mount this:

into this:

I'm pretty sure they aren't the same screw size.....

This is easy. Use your imagination...

There are two standard thread sizes for tripod and camera mounts, 1/4" and 3/8". You can easily find 1/4" to 3/8" adapters online or possibly even in your local camera store. 1/4" also happens to be a common size for screws in general, so you can go to your local hardware or home improvement store and buy a cheap package of medium-length screws of that size. The rest should be pretty obvious.